When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

I don't pay any attention to names in books all that much anymore. That may sound strange, but I'm more likely to remember the story, the world-building elements and a character's physical appearance than I am to remember a name. It's the same thing in my life. If I meet too many people at once I'm more likely to remember their face than I am to remember their names.

This Week's Topic:

Five Bookish Habits I Want To Break

1. Getting so attached to one book that I can't read anything else for a while;

2. Letting books pile up to a point that causes me anxiety just thinking about them;

3. Not jump into not finishing a book because of small things that bother me;

4. Stop racing/skimming through a book just because I want to know what happens next because I'm impatient;

5. Keeping books on my shelf for aesthetic purposes only even though I didn't finish reading it and won't consider revisiting the story;

Monday, May 21, 2018

I live in a world where freedom doesn't exist, and life is a battle for survival. Most people aren't even allowed to have names.

But I had a name once. I was Allura until the Wardens captured me.

They told me I was a Nameless. That I was no one, and my sole purpose was to obey them. And, for a while, I believed them.

I spent years living underground in the channels beneath the city, dreaming of being outside again. I never thought it would happen. That I'd die in the darkness of my cell.

But then three guys show up in the channels and my fate suddenly changes.

Blaise, Ryder, and Reece are part of a secret group working to take down the Wardens and help rescue the Nameless. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I might survive.

But the outside world isn't like how I remember. The city has become even more dangerous, especially for the Nameless. To survive, I'll have to learn how to trust the guys and live in a world full of crime where almost everyone is hunting for me.

A Note: I schedule all my reviews months in advance and at the time of reading this book and writing this review there was no mention that it was a reverse harem story in the title or in the description of this novel.

This was quite a short book and I don't know how to feel about it. It was overall entertaining, but it wasn't mind-blowing. It was exactly what I was looking for at the time though.

I liked Allura as a character. She tries to be strong but she's not there yet. She makes up for that with intelligence and a little spunk. I'm curious as to what she is and it's complications in future books.

I liked the three men that rescued her, though I couldn't tell them apart for the life of me. They were all helpful and sweet to her, but no one left a lasting impression on me. I hope that changes in the other books in this series.

I found out, a little too late, that apparently this is a reverse-harem series (I.E. one girl, multiple guys). There was nothing romantic in this novel, which made me happy because reverse-harem stories aren't my thing. I'm hesitant to continue on in this series after finding that out, though the author doesn't mention it anywhere. I'm just confused at this point. Overall though this was an interesting book and the story was set up well.

My Favorite Quotes:

"You need to understand that some humans are equally as evil (...)."

"People wander out there, searching for something better, and never find it."

"That's the problem with legends. While sometimes they hold a hint of truth, it's hard to sort through all that nonsense."

Yes and no. The answer to this question can get quite long, so I'll try to sum it up. As much as I love writing I just don't have the patience or am in the mindset to write an actual book. I even struggle to come up with ideas for the weekly 'My Ramblings' posts on this blog on some weeks. For me to be happy with what I write I need to be in a specific mindset and on some days it's hard to get there.

10. Has any book influenced you greatly?

Yes. Every book influences me in one way or another. Some in small ways, others in bigger ways with lasting effects. The latest book that had me quoting excerpts to people was Mark Manson's 'The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck".

Image linked to my review

11. Do you read fan fiction?

No. I have nothing against them, but it's not something I ever got into.

12. Do you write fan fiction?

No. I never felt strongly enough about a certain set of characters to imagine up a story involving them that would merit writing it down.

13. What’s your favorite book?

There's no such thing as having one favorite book to me. I could probably come up with a top 10 or 20 list of books in a specific genre, but even that would be difficult.

14. What’s your least favorite book?

There are too many to count.

15. Do you prefer physical books or read on a device (like a kindle)?

I love physical books, but it's just easier and cheaper for me to read ebooks. I eventually got used to reading on a screen.

16. When did you learn to read?

I don't remember. It was pretty early on. My mom used to read fairy tales to me when I was a child, so my love of reading was encouraged since I was very young.

17. What is your favorite book you had to read in school?

There was a brazilian classic that I liked its overall storyline (how everything was worded made it hard to get into though) called Dom Casmurro By Machado de Assis. I wouldn't willingly reread it today, but I do remember it being one of the more entertaining of all the classics that I was obligated to read.

18. What is your favorite book series?

I can't pick a favorite!

19. Who is your favorite author?

I don't have a favorite!

20. What is your favorite genre?

Paranormal Romance C:

21. Who is your favorite character in a book series?

I can't pick a favorite!

22. Has a book ever transported you somewhere else?

Always! Nowadays I read to get away from my reality. I look forward to being transported to another city/country/land/universe.

I didn't necessarily adore this novel, but it ended in a way that felt like a huge chunk of the story was missing. It also made two other pack mates very prominent throughout the story which made me think the author was setting up a follow up standalone book and make this a series. Try as I might I haven't found any information on if this book will become a series or not. The way the author ended this novel just left me very confused and I'd like an ending to the overall storyline this novel started.

Image linked to Goodreads

24. Which book do you wish DIDN'T have a sequel?

This book was amazing and very well written, but its sequel was a big disappointment and that's coming from someone who hates cliffhanger endings (which Book #1 did have).
You can check out my DNF mini review for Book #2 on Goodreads.

Image linked to my review

25. How long does it take you to read a book?

This depends on how much time I have during the day and how much I want to finish the novel. This process could take anywhere from two days to two months.

26. Do you like when books become movies?

Yes and no. I love the IDEA of a book becoming a movie, but I don't like most of them. The Mortal Instruments movie and the Fallen movie were horrible in my opinion. I like the TV shows that come from books much more like The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, etc.

27. Which book was ruined by its movie adaptation?

The Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare really lost their shine for me when the movie came out. Though I am enjoying the Shadowhunters tv show that it's based on, so this could change in the future.

28. Which movie has done a book justice?

The Secret Garden movie and (from what I hear) The Hunger Games movies.

29. Do you read newspapers?

No. I usually get my news from Youtube from the TYT Network, The Philip Defranco Show and a few others here and there.

30: Do you read magazines?

I haven't for quite a few years now.

31. Do you prefer newspapers or magazines?

If I had to pick, I prefer magazines. Newspapers get ink all over everything.

32. Do you read while in bed?

Of course!

33. Do you read while on the toilet?

Guity >.<

34. Do you read while in the car?

I learned the hard way that I get motion sick if I read in moving vehicles. Never again!

35. Do you read while in the bath?

Nope. I'm too much of a klutz. I don't want to risk the wellbeing of the few physical books that I have and my iPad.

36. Are you a fast reader?

No.

37. Are you a slow reader?

Yes ....

38. Where is your favorite place to read?

I don't have one. As long as I have a nice spot to sit and everything is relatively quiet I can read anywhere.

39. Is it hard for you to concentrate while you read?

Depends on how engrossed I am in the book. There have been times when I was so into a story that my mom had to tug on my arm to get my attention after she called my name several times. There have also been times when the sound of the wind blowing against my window has bothered me enough to make it impossible for me to read.

40. Do you need a room to be silent while you read?

I like complete silence, but it isn't a must.

41. Who gave you your love for reading?

My parents. My mom started it off when she read to me as a child. My dad pushed me in that direction with his 'when I was young' stories about his 'reading adventures'. My love of reading eventually stuck.

42. What book is next on your list to read?

I have no idea. I'm a mood reader, so it doesn't matter if I plan out the books I have to read for the week because I know that if obligate myself to pick up a book that I'm not feeling up to reading at the moment that it'll make me miserable and push me into a reading slump.

43. When did you start to read chapter books?

My earliest memory of reading chapter books I think would probably be in the fourth grade. Could have been earlier or later than that though.

44. Who is your favorite children’s book author?

Don't have one. Can you tell it's a thing with me? I can't pick favorites!

45. Which author would you most want to interview?

I've thought about this so much, but I can never decide what to ask and who to ask it to.

46. Which author do you think you’d be friends with?

That's a hard question to answer. I'd like to think I'd hit it off with Pippa DaCosta, but I'd probably be an incoherent fangirl and make a fool out of myself in front of her. So I don't know if I would have friend potential C;

47. What book have you reread the most?

Here are a few of them:

Images linked to my review

48. Which books do you consider “classics”?

Depends on the genre.

In the Urban Fantasy Vampire Genre:

Images linked to my review

In the New Adult Contemporary Genre:

Image linked to my review

49. Which books do you think should be taught in every school?

I can't answer this because I mainly read books in the romance genre. I don't necessarily think that books in that genre have an obligation to be taught in schools because I only read them as a hobby.

50. Which books should be banned from all schools?

I can't answer this as well because I mainly read books in the romance genre. I don't necessarily think that there are books in this genre that should be specifically banned in schools. I'm a firm believer in you should read whatever the heck you want, as long as you're not hurting yourself or others what's the problem?

This was a long one!What books do you consider classics in a specific genre?Let me know in the comments below!

The fate of millions rests on Keystone when they embark on their most important assignment of all…

After what was supposed to be a simple job, Raven and Christian uncover a sinister plot against the higher authority, and the stakes are as high as the body count. The assassins are merciless, with anyone who stands in their way becoming collateral damage. Meanwhile, Raven is still struggling to make sense of her feelings for Christian following a memory wipe.

During a blackout, the city erupts into chaos. With Breed on the brink of war, Keystone has only twenty-four hours to complete a secret mission. Raven seeks help from the most unlikely of places, but at what cost?

It’s a race against time to save lives in this explosive installment of the Crossbreed series.

Dannika Dark is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Urban Fantasy Romance and Paranormal Romance books. Her books have sold more than 2 million copies worldwide, and she is a 2016 Audie Awards finalist. In addition to writing about supernatural worlds, Dannika is passionate about graphic design and creates all her own covers and series art. When not writing in her cave, she enjoys indie music, reading, Netflix, heaps of chocolate, and unleashing her dark side.